The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-02-17
THE STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.

ing sentiment that something should be
done this session in initiating this work.
The bills are both the same in intent and
spirit, the only difference being that Sena'
tor Simkins's bill is drawn up more IN
harmony with the propositions from the
United States geological survey, aud IS
the most concise and economic through
out
The need of the establishment of the
state geological survey becomes more APP
parent each day, and especially since the
United States survey is 50 willing to CO.
operate in the work if initiated now. The
value of securing this cooperation is far
greater than apparent on first thought.
Not only will the results be those directly
arising from the great saving of expense
and the benefits of the magnificent meth
DDS of the United States survey, which
now are conceded to be the cheapest and
best in the world, but there would be an
indirect influence which would elevate
every educational institution in the state.
Wherever able men are employed as pro-
fessors, in nearly every state of the union
except Texas, the United States geological
survey has helped their local inyestiga-
tions by direct monied aid, as well as pub
LEGATION of results; besides doing much
else in the way of strengthening college
Libraries and museums. The cultivation
of closer relations with this organization
will pay i'll more ways than one.
The immediate necessity of this survey
is both educational and economic. The
offer of cooperation from the government
survey, as printed in last Sundays
STATESMAN, will make the actual money
outlay by our state but triAlng. Nature
has also operated in our favor. The
structure of our surface is so simple and
undisturbed, that whole counties can be
studied more cheaply in Texas, than
few square miles in Pennsylvania.
While the press, the people and the leg
islators generally concede the Importance
of the initiation of this work, the ques
ton of cost is the only objection that has
been raised.
The fact that farmers, builders, and
prospectors and others, are spending di-
rectlJ every year in frutIess experiments
ton, several times as much as the pro-
posed survey would cost, would be jUsti
fcation of any reasonable expenditures;
but when we consider the general results
that w'l arise both to state and people,
the ga zion Of the trivial expenditure
sinks iuto Iusignifcance. The uses of the
superb geographic maps now being made
or Iae state of Texas by the United States
geological survey are numerous and in
valuable. Nearly all the evils of our land
system have arisen from the want of just
such maps as these, and these errors can
never be remedied until this map, based
upon actual measurement, is completed.
by using them railroads, bitches, public
roads and numerous other public works
can be located with little cost. The di-
rector of the survey estimates that it will
cost the United States four hundred thou
sand dollars to make the plates for these
maps, and offers the use of them to the
state without asking one cent in return,
provided the state will invest a
small pittance in comparison, in that
character of geologic work which other
states have gladly done without any out
side assistance whatsoever. 1t will not do
for Us to console ourselves with the
thought that the government will expedite
the making of these maps regardless of
state aid. In recent report the director
of the United States geological survey in
timated that it would take twenty-five
years to finish the work. By reference to
a map, showing where the work is being
carried on in the states, it will be seen
that Texas is the only state in which
the work is progressing where
the state authorities are not CO.
operating in some way, and, so great is |
the clamor for the survey to extend its
operations in other states, that it is doubt
full if the government will longer be able
to continue such large part of its force
in Texas without state cooperation. To
fail to initiate state survey, this legisla
ture. instead of being economic, would, in
the long run, prove most expensive, and
probably drive the government forces
from our territory.
The Simkins bill provides every eau.
ton against needless expenditure and is
so worded as to avoid a repetition of the
mistakes of previous state surveys-the
causes of which are well understood, and
need not be again repeated. 1t also en-
deavors to have the work systematic, and
this fact is most important.
1t is evident that the present legisla.
ture appreciates the value of such a
measure to the state, and it is believed
that the Simkins bill will pass both house
and senate without serious difficulty or
delay.
PROTECT ESTATES OF DECEDENrs AND